Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Sepang

"Sebastian Vettel has given Ferrari their first front-row starting position since this race two years ago, when Felipe Massa managed it. The four-time champion is thinking positive about his chances in the race, admitting that Mercedes 'are difficult to beat', but adding: 'I think we have a decent chance to do well. We could be up for anything.'

"Nico Rosberg, though, feels Mercedes still have the edge, and explained that Vettel had only made the front row - and got to within 0.074secs of Hamilton - because Mercedes had not got their tyre strategy in qualifying right. 'We didn't have our tyres at their best for that second lap of that second run,' Rosberg said. 'We used up our tyres a bit just cruising around and that's why Sebastian was relatively quick there at the end compared to us because he got the strategy right - one lap, one lap.'

"Asked if he he felt Mercedes still had a comfortable margin, Rosberg added: ''Comfortable, no. They're right there. We need to be at our best but I am still confident we have an advantage and we are still the best, but they are coming at us.'"

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton is now only seven wins behind Ayrton Senna's total of 41. He is in a strong position to make that six wins behind having converted pole into a victory in each of his last seven races.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who starts in pole position, on the parade bus: "The Ferraris are looking quite quick so Sebastian is going to be fast. It is so hot today - it is the hottest the track has ever been, 61C. The tyres are going to be melting so the challenge is who can look after the tyres the longest."

Image source, Lotus

Quite a bizarre scene with the drivers on the bus actually. As the others sit in the upper section waving to fans, Sebastian Vettel also has his Ferrari team-mate and Kimi Raikkonen for company in the bottom section. He is sat by the window, shades on (never wear shades indoors Kimi) while on the opposite side is Lewis Hamilton, headphones on, gulping a bottle of water and looking very cool and calm.

It's like they are off to the shops in town or something.

Nico Rosberg, speaking during the drivers parade: "The first lap is going to be important, I'm trying to beat Sebastian and go for Lewis too - but that going to be difficult. But that's the plan - get past Sebastian then attack Lewis."

Davii Adams: Sleep, or stay up for BBC F1 coverage hmm?...

Lewis Goodway: Insightful punditry or a comfortable bed?

LP: Woke up extra early just in case for F1 race because of clocks going forward.

Autographs signed, the 20 drivers have just climbed aboard a bus to venture off on the driver parade. Most have taken their seats on the open top section of the bus, but Sebastian Vettel has decided to seek refuge from the heat and is knocking about downstairs.

Image source, Mercedes

It was the usual pre-race meet and greet for the drivers earlier, and these two were in demand.

Image source, Mercedes

Image source, Lotus

This is a belting photo from Lotus, external of their pit crew in action during the torrential rain on Saturday.

Will we get rain in today's race? The early forecast suggested there was a chance, and there are plenty of clouds in the sky at the moment. As usual, it is hot and humid too.

Image source, Getty Images

The run to the first corner is one of the longest in Formula 1, meaning we could be in for a thrilling and incident packed start to the race.

Sebastian Vettel may have split the Mercedes, but he need only look to last year to see how quickly that could change.

It was the exact same front three at the 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix but Rosberg attacked Vettel immediately and was up into second by the end of the first lap. Vettel will need to be wary.

Refresh your memory, and whet your appetite for today's race, by watching Hamilton's win 12 months ago.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Sepang

"Lewis Hamilton starts from pole here and is aiming for his eight win in nine races, a run dating back to the Italian Grand Prix last September.

"It's clear team-mate Nico Rosberg has to find some way to halt Hamilton's momentum, but he played that need down. 'In my head it is not a general thing at the moment because it is the second race if a new season,' Rosberg said, 'so I am not generalising at all. First race I made a mistake in qualifying and that's how he won the weekend because race pace was very similar. And now, OK, he just did a better job in the wet in qualifying and the race is still all to play for, so in my mind there is no runaway train."

Image source, AP

There was an unusual moment in Saturday's post-qualifying news conference as Nico Rosberg turned journalist to ask Lewis Hamilton a question.

"Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG Petronas," he opened with., external "There are a lot of comments on Twitter saying Nico blocked you, is that true he blocked you on your second timed lap?"

Hamilton, smiling, replied: "I think you should probably ask him, I think he'll have a good opinion on that." Rosberg responded, while shaking his head: "That's not funny, that's not funny."

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Sepang

"The opening race of the season in Australia turned on a stunning qualifying lap from Lewis Hamilton in difficult, changing conditions, and the world champion did it again here in Malaysia.

"At the start of a final qualifying session delayed by torrential rain, Hamilton turned in a lap more than a second clear of the field. He said it 'wasn't a great lap', but team-mate Nico Rosberg did not agree.

"'It was extremely challenging conditions because the track had so much grip,' the German said. 'It was so unusual; incredible grip for then intermediate tyre and you needed to be incredibly creative and adaptive to find the limit immediately. Lewis just did a lot better than all the rest of us.'"

There was one famous incident of two team-mates gunning for the Formula 1 title clashing in Malaysia, could there be any incidents between the Mercedes pair today?

So did Nico Rosberg block Lewis Hamilton? Having already abandoned his lap, Rosberg appears not to move away from the racing line, meaning Hamilton had to go off-line to overtake.

It was a move that, at the time, BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard described as "a bit naughty."

Of course, it mattered not in the end, with Hamilton having already done enough to secure pole but it could be the first indication of the often hot tempered rivalry they shared in 2014 carrying on into this season.

As always, a simple enough question for today, what's your podium predictions? I'll go with 1) Hamilton 2) Rosberg 3) Vettel

Let us know yours via #bbcf1,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+, external pages.

Image source, Suzi Perry/Instagram

Here's Suzi Perry at the base of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur filming on Saturday for today's coverage of the race.

You'll get to hear those famous first base notes of The Chain when our television coverage gets under way on BBC One and online at 07:00 BST.

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"Morning! Thrilling Malaysia GP in prospect: can Rosberg beat Hamilton, can Ferrari challenge Mercedes, how high can Kimi Raikkonen climb from P11? BBC1, 7am."